Lay Servant Ministries

LAITY ACADEMY – SPRING 2026:

Basic & Advance Classes - In Person

The North Central Rivers Laity Academy is open to ALL laity who are seeking to grow in their faith journey. A Basic Lay Servant Course is available for those who wish to explore or begin the Certified Lay Servant process, and advanced courses are offered for everyone including those needing recertification. Clergy are also welcome to participate and may receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

DATES & TIMES: Saturday, April 25, 2026 – 9:00am to 12:00pm

Saturday, May 2, 2026 – 9:00am to 12:00pm

Saturday, May 9, 2026 - 9:00am to 12:00pm

Saturday, May 16, 2026 - 9:00am to 12:00pm (Lunch & Closing Worship at 1:00pm)

(Continental Breakfast will be provided each day)

PLACE: Elm Park United Methodist Church - 712 Linden St, Scranton, PA 18510

COST PER COURSE: $35.00 (plus the purchase of your own book(s)

REGISTRATION: DUE BY April 15, 2026. We are offering two ways to register:

1. ONLINE REGISTRATION:

· Visit: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/2026SpringLay

· Select the class you wish to take and complete your registration.

· Write a check for $35.00, payable to SUSUMC.

· Mail your check to: North Central Rivers District

40 Knob Hill Road, Trucksville, PA 18708

· Purchase the book(s) listed for your class.

2. MAIL REGISTRATION:

· Fill out the information below and select the class you wish to take

· Write Check for $35.00, payable to SUSUMC

· Mail this registration form and your check to: North Central Rivers District

40 Knob Hill Road, Trucksville, PA 18708

· Purchase the book(s) listed for your class

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Name: ____________________________ Last Name: _______________________

Address: __________________________ Best Phone: _______________________

__________________________ E-Mail Address: ________________________________

Home Church: __________________________________

Class you wish to take: ____________________________________________

Limited Registration Scholarships are available. If you want to apply for a Scholarship, briefly

explain your need: __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

REGISTRATION IS NOT COMPLETE UNTIL PAYMENT IS RECEIVED.

LAITY ACADEMY – BASIC & ADVANCE CLASES

BASIC LAY SERVANT CLASS

Instructors: Becky Boran, Certified Lay Servant

The Basic Lay Servant class is the first step in exploring and deepening your faith journey. It opens the door to many opportunities to serve both your local church and the wider connection. This course introduces you to a variety of ministry areas and gives you the chance to explore where your gifts may be calling you. For many, their journey of service in the church begins right here. This course is required before taking any advanced classes.

Required Books: Lay Servants Ministry Basic Course Participants Book: Bible

LEADING WORSHIP

Instructor: Rev. James Hollister, Elder

This Lay Servant Ministries advanced course focuses on the Ministry of the Lay Servant who either regularly or occasionally leads a group, class, organization, or the congregation in worship. The ministry of leading worship is central to any Christian community. This course is grounded in the classic patterns of Christian worship and the practices of leading worship. By taking this course, you will learn more about Christian worship to lead with more confidence. You will also practice leading worship in a variety of formats throughout this course so that you may lead with more competence and grace.

Expectations: So that your class sessions can be devoted more to the how’s than the what’s of leading worship, you should consistently: (1) Complete all the assigned readings before each class session and glean from those readings a list of the three most important learnings and the three most significant questions they raised for you. Each session is designed to offer the class time to share and address these insights and questions. (2) Come ready to embody and strengthen key skills in leading worship. The daily Body Work assignments between sessions are there to help you do this. Do these things each day. (3) Come ready to share with others, be vulnerable to others, and learn from others.

Required Books: Worshiping with United Methodists: A Guide for Pastors and Church Leaders

(revised addition) by Hoyt L. Hickman (Abingdon 2007): Bible: Additional Helpful Material: The United Methodist Hymnal, The Faith We Sing, The United Methodist Book of Worship, The New Handbook of the Christian Year by Hoyd Hickman

CALLED TO PREACH: DELIVERING AN EFFECTIVE SERMON

Instructor: Rev. Mike Bealla, Elder

This Lay Servant Ministries advanced course will move beyond the very basics of speaking to explore, envision, develop and deliver an effective sermon that will engage the listener while being faithful to the biblical text through proclamation. Participants will examine various types of sermons from exegetical, to topical, and children’s sermons. Included will be discussion on finding a story, using the hymnal, and how to deliver the message beyond the paper.

Expectations: Attendance at all four sessions will be necessary for completion of the course. Video and written examples of sermons will be shared throughout the class. It is expected that the assigned textbook be read as we proceed over the weeks. Participants will actively share with each other each session. Each participant will preach a 10-minute sermon on the last class day which may go beyond the scheduled time depending on the number of participants.

Required Books: From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon (choose the Participant Book)-Tony Franks and David Carroll

UNITED METHODIST POLITY

Instructor: Rev. Andrew Weidner, Elder

This Lay Servant Ministries advanced course focuses on the governance, pattern of order, authority, participation, and decision making in the United Methodist Church. The course offers an overall look at the church as a community of faith.

Expectations: A list of readings will be provided prior to the beginning of classes. Complete all the assigned readings before each class session. Each session is designed to offer the class time to share and address questions you may develop from your readings.

Required Books: Knowing Who We Are, The Wesleyan Way of Grace – Laceye C. Warner: Polity, Practice, and the Mission of the UMC 2006 Edition – Thomas Edward Frank: 2020-2024 United Methodist Book of Discipline – (A hard copy of the book or electronic copy on computer)